Knitting is a very relaxing hobby. There are many different types of knitting stitches, however the knit and the purl stitches are the basic stitches used in many patterns and by knitting a row of knit stitch and a row of purl stitch you will achieve the stockinette stitch. If you look at the reverse side of several rows of purl stitch you will see it looks like the knit stitch!

I did a regular knit for the first 10 rows, and then I did a purl/knit/purl/knit to have the flat side with the v's on the front. Then I did 10 more regular knit rows and am trying to purl again, but the flat side is now on the back. How can I make it on the front again?

wikiHow Contributor

Community Answer

The easiest fix would be to alternate your pattern. Do knit/purl/knit rather than purl/knit/purl. A knit stitch on one side is a purl on the other, so alternating it will switch the side it is on. Otherwise add or subtract one more knit row to change sides of the piece.

Insert the working needle through the third stitch from behind, bringing it back through all three. Now purl all three stitches as though they were one stitch. (It helps to press against the main needle with your working needle as you do this.) Remove the yarn from the main needle and you should have a distinctive twisted rise.

Video.

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Tips

Instead of purling your second row, you can knit it instead. This will create what is called the stockinette stitch. In stockinette stitch, one side of your fabric will be smooth and the other will be bumpy, giving a very professional finish. Stockinette stitch is a popular choice for knitters and allows you to knit almost anything you want.

Many sweaters are made with knit one row, purl the next row, so that the outside of the sweater is not bumpy but smooth, just like a bought sweater. The inside, the side next to your body, has the bumps. Look at a store bought sweater for an example.

Practice with large needles and thick yarn. As soon as you get the hang of knitting the stitches use the smaller sized needles as suggested on the pattern you want to knit.

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Co-authors: 34

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Views: 2,014,337

NG

Nic Gesta

Aug 18

"I didn't know how to knit, so I came on wikiHow to learn. Now I can't stop, wikiHow is amazing."

TM

Tina M.

Dec 22, 2017

"The wikiHow knit and purl tutorials were the only thing that I could learn from. I tried people, books and YouTube videos, but it was all too confusing. There's something about how wikiHow does a mini-vid for each step that is so enormously helpful. Super grateful for y'all."..." more

Rated this article:

CA

Catherine Anderson

Jan 9

"Ive seen a few videos on how to knit and couldn't get it right. With this guide I literally learned how to to knit in minutes and in no time had done 10 perfect rows. It took me 2 attempts but I'm very proud and couldn't have done it without this tutorial. Thanks!"..." more

CM

Constance McLaughlin

Mar 7, 2017

"I think this tutorial is great. It is step by step, and slow for beginners. I am a beginner and I haven't practiced in a while, so I am just refreshing my memory on how to cast on, purl, and knit."..." more

DL

Donna Little

May 29, 2017

"I am trying to learn to knit, because I enjoy it. I was taught how to cast off, now I am learning to purl stitch. I can crochet really well, taught by my granny, but shes's moved to heaven. "..." more

IG

Isabella Gonsalez

May 29, 2017

"I just wanted to review how to purl, as I am more of a crocheter and have not knitted in a while. The first four steps were all that I needed to refresh my memory."..." more

HB

Hannah B.

Mar 10, 2017

"Just needed a quick refresher on this basic stitch after several years without picking up a pair of needles. The clear GIFs and simple instruction are perfect!"..." more

DR

Debra Revell

Feb 25, 2017

"I'm a beginner, and really appreciate the time you took. Great step-by-step, thank you for taking time to post it."

MH

Marcy Hardin

May 8, 2017

"Loved the pictures. Watching over and over to get it right. Hadn't purled in 40 years, and this brought it back."

SR

Sue Ralph

May 5, 2016

"An excellent video for beginners. I am just teaching myself and found the steps very easy to follow. Thank you."

VJ

V. Jones

Mar 23, 2017

"Showing how to hold the needles & how thread had to be wrapped was helpful."

Rated this article:

CM

Claire Marshall

Feb 3, 2017

"Great clear video for a beginner like me.I now know how to do purl stitch!"

MR

Maria Rodriguez

Jan 22, 2017

"Clear instructions for beginners and for us who have not knitted in years."